Bishop Mountain Cabin

Show on map208-652-7442
ASHTON/ISLAND PARK RANGER DISTRICT, P.O. Box 858
ASHTON, ID 83420

Overview

Bishop Mountain Cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. The one-room cabin formerly housed Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management employees who stayed there to watch for forest fires. A historic fire lookout tower is nearby. The cabin was used for lookout workers until the early 1980s.
Guests can drive to the cabin from early June through mid-November, weather permitting, although about 16 miles of the trip are on high-clearance gravel roads. Four wheel drive pick-up trucks are required for cabin access.

During winter months November through May, access to the cabin is accessible by snowmobile or other snow means, on an ungroomed portion of the road. The cabin provides several conveniences, but guests should be prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear for a comfortable stay.

Recreation

Guests at Bishop Mountain Cabin can participate in numerous recreational activities. Nearby logging roads are suitable for mountain biking. Hiking, snowmobiling and horseback riding trails are nearby. This area is also popular with hunters and berry pickers.

Facilities

Guests will find two sets of bunkbeds with mattress pads, a dining table and chairs. A wood cook stove is available for cooking and heating, and firewood is provided. A vault toilet is located in a separate building.
Running water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring their own water supply as well as trash bags for packing out garbage. Bedding, matches, lighting and first aid supplies are not provided.

Natural Features

The cabin sits at 7,800 feet on the summit of Bishop Mountain, which is covered by pine trees. This mountain sits on the western border of Henry's Fork Caldera, an 18-mile long, 23-mile wide caldera located just west of Yellowstone National Park. Visitors are awarded scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Wildlife in this area includes black bear, wolf, elk, moose, mule deer, and grizzly bears.

Nearby Attractions

Harriman State Park is approximately 14 miles east of Bishop Mountain and open year-round. It lies within a wildlife refuge that's part of the Yellowstone Ecosystem. Visitors often see moose, elk, sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans. Anglers can find some of the best fly-fishing in the nation, and there are numerous multi-use trails.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

  • Fire pit: all 1 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 1 sites
  • Largest party: 4 people

Directions

From Ashton, ID, travel north on Highway 20 for 16 miles, then turn left (west) on North Antelope Flat Road (#168). Travel 7.5 miles to Bishop Mountain Road (#120) and then turn right (north) and travel for about 5.4 miles. The road dead ends at the cabin.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

14 reviews
5 stars
9
4 stars
2
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
Lara B
Loop:Bimc
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Love the new table. Wahoo!
Rachel T
Loop:Bimc
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
We had a wonderful time! The views were amazing and the road was is in really good condition (apparently they had just graded it!). My kids and dogs had a fun time exploring the area around the cabin. The screen porch was nice for cutting down on the bugs while still enjoying fresh air, but it needs some repairs, so it didn't keep everything out. The cabin was pretty dusty, so we wiped everything down before we settled in, but it was in decent condition otherwise. The mattresses were more comfortable than others we've slept on, but still pretty firm. This is our second forestry cabin and it is definitely going in our permanent rotation :)
David J
Loop:Bimc
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
I had been wanting to visit this location for a long time. It is very secluded (which I like) and the road is pretty rough for the last five miles or so, believe it when they say don't try this in a car.I never felt the need to use four wheel drive, it's mostly picking your way around deep ruts and rocks. I deliberately went late in the season (late October)in the middle of the week,I had no visitors at all.(also no flies or mosquitoes) The lookout tower is interesting but you aren't allowed to climb up. The cabin is nice but smells smoky.Make sure to read how to light the stove,there are instructions on the wall and better ones in a binder but I didn't see them until later.They recommend using crumpled newspaper to light the stove and very specific instructions to follow to avoid smoking yourself out of the cabin.There was plenty of firewood stocked in the screened in porch.After getting the stove going it kept me warm all night,I stoked it up good right before going to bed.It got down to 29 degrees and snow on the ground when I got up. Make sure you have lanterns or light of some sort and bring plenty of water.Overall it was a very nice stay and I enjoyed it very much and I intend to go again next year.I also enjoyed reading other people's experiences in the log books there. I wouldn't recommend staying here as a base to visit Yellowstone or other places as it takes too long to drive the 14 miles back to the highway.However long you are planning to be here I would plan on staying here for the duration.Because it snowed overnight it took me an hour to get back down to the highway.The light snow made the road muddy. The next day I had planned on bike riding in Harriman Park but due to the light snow and cool temps (32-34 degrees)I went sight seeing to Henry's Lake,Big Springs,Island park dam and Mesa Falls and Sawtelle area.There is a lot to see in this area without driving very far once you're on the highway.Overall I had a great time and I highly recommend it.
Dona M
Loop:Bimc
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
We had a great stay at this cabin. The views are spectacular. Got to see a some small wildlife and glimpses of larger ones and a lot of their tracks. We pulled out the telescopes and had great views of the sky. Yes the cabin has soot, likely from someone hanging a propane lantern in the middle of the room. You are NOT going to get up the road in a car or even a small SUV. We had a 4WD and still had to take it very slow in order to drive safely. Be prepared to take your time. The only issue we had was while we were out hiking a family of four entered the camp ground on 4 Wheelers. Even with the gate closed behind us and a sign saying foot traffic only please respect the renters privacy. This family was in the campground for nearly 20 minutes while we hiked back. We stopped them and spoke to them about the sign and the fact they shouldn't be there. The woman became beligerent saying it was her right to be there they came all the time. We notified Law Enforcement. When they saw the vehicle parked in front of the cabin, you would have thought they would have left. But no, they wandered around -we don't know what they were able to access, but we did have belongings that we had thought would be secure while we left for a short period. Nothing was stolen that we could tell, but we did have some high dollar valuables that would not have been accessible if they wanted. They should not have passed the gate. I would SUGGEST PLEASE THAT A CHAIN AND A LOCK BE ADDED TO THE GATE so renters may leave the area to explore and know their vehicles and other outside belongings are safe.
Abigail C
Loop:Bimc
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Amazing cabin. Overall had a wonderful experience. Huckleberries we’re abundant. Can’t wait to go back! Definitely recommend bringing a bike lock or some sorts for the gate to the cabin. Had some unwanted visitors on side by sides open the gate and drive up.
Robert P
Loop:Bimc
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Stayed there Sept 20-21 of 2021 and left a 5 star review. Since that time nothing at all has been improved. Where is all the money going? Nice view, fancy wood cook stove, nice floor & nice dining table with chairs so we are not all negative. Firewood was stocked unlike last time. Lady who answers the phone is very pleasant. Price is a mere $30 when most every USFS cabin is now being raised to $50+ at least in Montana. So we compliment where we can. However... You have to rent 2 nights if you rent on a Friday or Saturday. You still have to pick up the key & return & they give you a form to fill out inventory to list any issues. But guess what... They do NOTHING about those issues! No attempt to fix the road to help people access with cars. We had a SUV so fine. The fire extinguisher expired years ago! Reported last year. Smoke detectors still do not work. Reported last year. Squirrel still coming into walls and ceiling in evening & night. Reported last year. Still soot all over walls and ceiling. Is there no deep cleaning ever? This is a registered historic site but you do not maintain? Reported last year. Made the suggestion last year that they allow somebody to come in & fix these issues in exchange for a free stay. Probably not legal per government regulations but a solution was suggested. Last year we stayed on a Monday night & had no visitor issue. This year on a Fri/Sat stay we had a huge group of 12 show up and start flying drones. We also had dirt bikers ignore the sign & rode up & climbed the fenced off tower. It does not help that renters can't lock the gate to keep vehicles out & the signs says people are still allowed to come in but just do not drive in of the gate is closed. It is ignored. Sure go ahead & still stay there but maybe go during the week & bring a chain and lock. The $30 price is nice too. Our complaints are the issues should be fixed and the cabin cleaned.
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Season dates

Peak season

Jun 1, 2027 – Nov 3, 2027

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Peak season

Jun 1, 2028 – Nov 3, 2028

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